In a first for the established European state lotteries, the Austrian Lotteries (Osterreichische Lotterien GesmbH), have commenced live cash gaming on the Internet using a software package from a new lottery technology supplier, Access Systems of Sydney Australia. (Now, don't get this confused...the lottery is in Austria and the supplier is in Australia).
It would seem that this new player on the world lottery scene has caught the big boys napping and sold their first system to a real world state lottery.
According to the press release, Access Systems was chosen as the preferred supplier due to the ready availability of the system, the accompanying tools (e.g. Games Development Kit) and because the software product and development and testing processes matched the superlative standards of Austrian Lotteries' own IT development activities.
Austrian Lotteries will operate the site known in Austria as "WebClub" with restrictions to prevent unauthorized play by minors and to prevent problem gaming using bet limits and self-exclusion. Initially, player accounts will be credited by a pre-paid card, which will be sold in approved lottery outlets such as newsagents. This payment method will be followed shortly by the pioneering use of the SET credit card payment method in association with MasterCard and VISA. Only Austrian residents will be allowed to play in the Web Club.
The initial games include "Schatzinsel" (Treasure Island) which operates like a slot machine and has a very entertaining bonus game. In the "Penalty Game," you have to score at least two goals from five tries to win a cash prize.
The Austrian Lotteries' system uses the ACES gaming platform from Access Systems. ACES is a secure, robust and scalable gaming platform specifically designed for the legitimate gaming and wagering industry. The system has been designed to the highest standards demanded by Australian regulators and auditing companies. Australia is recognized internationally as having one of the toughest sets of probity and regulatory standards in the world.
The press release goes on to say that the ACES gaming platform has also been delivered to a land-based Casino in Australia and is in the final stages of testing before its release early in 1999. The ACES gaming platform makes use of industry standards such as SUN servers and the Oracle database.
Founded in 1991, Access has been at the leading edge of many electronic commerce developments in Australia and is now completely focused on the development of software for the gaming and wagering market. The company is 50% owned by JGL Investments and 50% by the management and staff. The company will shortly be releasing the Games Development Kit and looks likely to attract a number of leading games developers from both Australia and overseas to help make ACES the international standard for internet and intranet gaming platforms.
The Austrian Lotteries gaming site (http://www.webclub.at) started operations on December 14th after a period of extensive end user, audit and security testing, and a period of restricted live running.
IGN's Mr.Nambling is a gaming industry consultant and commentator with
over 23 years industry experience,
Glenn Barry has held senior management positions in Lottery and gaming operations around the world. His claims to fame include starting the first successful US Lotto in
NewYork in 1978 and the NSW (Australia) in 1979.